第１７９９堀：北の町は落ち着きを取り戻しつつあります (Part2)
Once we finished eating, we resumed our conversation.
"So... what else is there? What do you want to ask?"
"Let's see, what about the fields?"
"That’s not my specialty, so they’re largely untouched. It’s not as if they weren't farming to begin with, and no requests for support have been filed. Besides, even if they were, we can't exactly speed up the growing season, so it wouldn't change anything even if Kaya came down here. Even if we increased the supply shipments, as long as the war remains unsettled, they’ll still have to rely on Weed, so we’ve been keeping things modest to avoid fostering dependency. Well, if we were to increase the aid, I’d have to consult with Eris and Ratz anyway."
"Ah, well, Ratz aside, Eris’s whole job is to tighten the purse strings, isn't it?"
"If we provide an infinite amount, it’s meaningless if they can't consume it all. Plus, it’s a matter of Oue’s pride. That’s why we only provide the bare minimum they need to survive. There’s a delicate balance to maintain."
"True. It would be a major problem if the people started thinking that things were better when Weed was in charge than when Oue was governing."
Exactly. We avoid excessive aid precisely to uphold Oue’s dignity. If the citizens of Oue began to prefer Weed’s administration, it would lead to the collapse of the state. That would undermine our original intention of building a stable, positive relationship. That is why we can only do so much.
Still...
"Even so, what Weed has already done for Oue is significant enough to be alarming. Even now, they’re being thanked at the soup kitchens and the hospitals."
"That’s a good thing, of course, but it does mean Oue’s authority is waning."
"Indeed. Well, it hasn't even been a month yet, so I doubt they’re fully dependent, but it will become a problem if we don't show that Oue is gradually regaining its strength."
"I see. That’s helpful to know."
"I’m glad. So, was Kagura’s reason for having you investigate the northern town related to that?"
"Yes. You know the party for the completion of Glass Port is coming up soon, right? Most of Weed’s key figures will be returning for that. Of course, Weed’s soldiers and doctors will remain here, but I was wondering if things would be alright in the event of an emergency."
I see, that’s what it was.
"Well, fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—we can return in an instant, so I think we’ll manage. It’s not as if this area is in total chaos. Don't you think Kagura feels the same?"
"I suppose you're right. If Enola shares that opinion, then there’s no issue."
"Yes, as long as nothing catastrophic happens, we can handle whatever comes."
I don't think it’s easy for anyone to just waltz in and take the northern town while Weed’s military is stationed there. That said, we still can't put our full effort into rebuilding the fields. After all, we have no way of knowing when the next attack might come.
That reminded me of something.
"How is the persuasion of Baron Siana’s prisoners going?"
Right. The plan is to join forces with Baron Siana—who was the first to surrender—to diminish the Church’s influence. For Weed, it’s also a matter of gathering further intelligence.
"Well, it seems to be going well, generally speaking. Half of those who surrendered have agreed to cooperate."
"Half, is it? I wonder if that’s a lot or a little."
"I think it’s a lot. After all, half of that coalition consisted of soldiers from the Giadana Kingdom, the very nation that led the alliance."
"Ah, the ones who were following the Church’s authority."
"Exactly. Well, you can't really be a leader of an alliance without having that kind of manpower behind you."
I see. So they were well aware that they were being forced into submission.
"And what do you intend to do with those who refuse to cooperate?"
"Well, it’s not my place to decide, but simply releasing them would just mean they’d go out and cause trouble in the surrounding areas. On the other hand, keeping them imprisoned indefinitely just costs money..."
"Either way, it’s a headache."
The question of why one should bother feeding enemies who only consume resources is a problem you hear about everywhere, but when you’re actually faced with it, it’s a real pain.
"Yuki will probably come up with a way to make good use of them. I’m just here to report. Regardless, half of them are willing to cooperate, so I hope that side of things goes well."
"Indeed."
As I said that, I sipped my tea, chatting with Kagura and enjoying the remainder of our lunch break in peace.
The prisoner problem. It really is a difficult issue to resolve. Thinking about how to actually handle them is nothing but a headache. I wonder what kind of decision Yuki will make.